Sudden curiosity but where to start?

[LadyVape]

Hi all,

After years of atheism, I have very suddenly found faith. I can't pin point any reason or cause for this, just one night I just felt it.

I've started reading the NIV bible as this version seems highly recommended.

I.would like to begin attending a church, I'm a little confused as to which one however the Salvation Army church is looking a possibility.

I am still bemused how I could go from being an atheist to a believer pretty much overnight. Did this happen to anyone else, with no apparent cause?

Also at the moment it feels like every verse of the bible I read, I am analysing, for example, does god condone capital punishment because in genesis 9:4, he talks of shedding human blood.

Where do people find clarification?

One of the best known cases of zero to faith is Saul of Tarsus who had a sudden conversion and is now known as St Paul. I also had a very quick not believing to believing experience and I was a bit cross as Christians were seriously uncool in my university group.

A good place to start learning about Jesus would be www.rejesus.co.uk. which is mainstream and accessible. Getting to grips with the Bible is a lifetimes work but the basics are that it is a library made up of different types of literature so letters and myth and poetry are all there. It is neither a book of morality or rules nor was it written by God. It is probably worth starting with the gospels and getting a commentary such as Tom Wright's 'For Everyone' bible study guides as these are very good at describing how the testament informs the new.

As far as finding a church goes go and try a few. The C of E will have a church in every town as will the URC, the Baptists and Methodists. Oddly enough the ones that look the most up to date and funky with bands and flash websites are the most conservative but look at the Ship of Fools Mystery Worshipper project and see if there is something you might want to try near you.

It's lovely to hear that all of a sudden you have found that you actually have a faith. My faith grew since I was a ten year old, so no insight in to why it could happen overnight.
The NIV translation is quite good, it is what I use. I would start by reading through the gospels. Christian belief centres round Jesus, you need to find out as much as you can about Him and what He was about. You will need some other Christians around you to answer questions, although just for the moment I would leave aside and pass over such questions as you came across in Genesis. They can wait till you have a bit more of a clue as to what is happening.
A Bible reading guide is a great help, if you have a Christian bookshop nearby have a browse. I liked Jeff Lucas' Bible notes, other people like Scripture Union notes.

My guess is that you will find a great deal of joy and happiness in your faith, it's a great thing to happen. Congratulations.

Old testament informs the new.

Sorry on phone and missed a bit.

Salvation army are usually very sane with good hymns and social justice embedded into DNA.

LadyVape "I am still bemused how I could go from being an atheist to a believer pretty much overnight. Did this happen to anyone else, with no apparent cause? "

I am atheist. This happened to an atheist friend but he just said he believed in something, he didn't start going to places of worship. (He said he was out walking one night and just decided there was a god) .He also said his life didn't change in any way but he feels more comfortable somehow.

You seem to have picked "church" right away which is interesting.

my uncle decided at 70+ that he wasn't religious and embraced atheism. Not sure why he had that realisation so late and seemingly apropos nothing, he said. (He is in another country, so it wasn't my influence and his wife and kids were quite upset).

I am quite curious how this has happened as well tbh, in your case, friend's case and uncle's case!

That s so lovely LadyVape. Look around for an Alpha course. You can ask absolutely anything, have some great discussions, and meet some like minded people.
I read UCB Word for Today in bed every morning before I get up - it puts me in the right frame of mind each day.
Good luck on your new and exciting journey.

Hi lady vape, Overnight? No. But pretty quick, yes. People seem to think atheist to believer takes a couple of years' agnosticism on the way. For me, it I was a certain atheist, then unwillingly, then searching, exploring etc - it took about 3 months for the core change. Though I'm still unsure - but now I think that doubt is an intrinsic part of faith (for me it is anyway), and I no longer want certainty, I'm happy to be on a journey. And now I'm an unsure theist, not an unsure atheist and I find that very exciting. Everyone wants there to be a trigger or cause but there was none for me either.

To start with it was all in my head and I did a lot of reading, and a lot of talking to people on here, but it really started to get more real, and easier, when I started going to church. (Though for me that's difficult, long story). You may need to try a few to find out where your 'home' will be.

Thanks for the replies, very much appreciated

Back in high school I adored religious studies, so much so I took it as a gcse. I guess i always had faith of some sort but some life circumstances changed that until very recently.

I bought myself a notebook today, so I can write down parts of the bible id like to find out more about. I also picked up a couple of books.

I'm going to try both local churches and see how things go

Hi LadyVape,

that's so exciting but also must be a kind of confusing time. Some great answers here. Would second finding an alpha course or similar like Christianity explored, there are loads around - would look for one in a mainstream church like c of e. Salvation army are good I believe but yes may be worth perusing local websites and seeing what it around and what you feel a pull towards - we are all so different in how we feel comfortable church wise.

My dad had a pretty quick and dramatic conversion from strident atheism to Christianity. He's now a vicar!! Sometimes it seems God just comes and makes Godself known. I don't know why but it's great. ..

Second also about reading gospels and finding out more about jesus rather than diving in to OT. Jesus is the source of the Christian faith. Ot important but good I think to start in gospels then acts about the early church.

Meanwhile if you want to ask any questions please do feel free to on here. You're also welcome on the prayer thread if you'd like to. You don't have to take part, all are welcome. :)

Enjoy your exciting journey. Faith can be the most amazing and fulfilling thing.

LadyVape it could be that a person, or people (intercessors) have been praying for you to find faith and God has answered their prayers. Enjoy your Bible reading and interpretation!

Lady, I had the same experience as you, though mine happened one afternoon, rather than night.

You asked "where to start?" I read books about different religious beliefs, only coming back to church after a few years. I suppose you start wherever you want, it'll be interesting journey.

I'd recommend finding a Christianity Explored Course near to you, they are a great way to discover and explore the basics and have your questions answered. The people running it maybe able to recommend different churches close to you as well.

Be very careful with the Old Testament! Some of it is horribly off-putting. Read the Gospels first, then Acts.

How is it going LadyVape?